Dominique Charriau/WireImage ; © Universal Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection (2) ; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty The first part ofWickedpremiered in 2024 and starred Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively At least 12 other stars confirmed that they also auditioned for lead roles in the film adaptation Amanda Seyfried revealed that she auditioned for Glinda while simultaneously filmingThe Dropout Ariana GrandeandCynthia Erivoweren't the only celebrities who wanted to defy gravity. Wickedtells the origin story of Glinda and Elphaba and the events that led to their fateful roles as the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West inThe Wizard of Oz. Based on the hit Broadway musical (which itself was adapted from Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel), the long-awaited film adaptation released its first part in November 2024. The second is set to premiere on Nov. 21, 2025. Though directorJon M. ChutoldCBS Morningsin December 2024 that he originally hoped to cast lesser-known actors as Glinda and Elphaba, it quickly became clear that Grande and Erivo were meant for the roles. "When those two walk in … the moment you look in their eyes, there's no denying it," Chu said. "They just took those roles." But the journey to cast the iconic duo was anything but simple. A wide range of performers — from pop stars to Broadway veterans — auditioned for a chance to step into Oz. Grande herself even went out for a different role. So, who else was in the running to lead one of the most anticipated movie musicals of all time? Here are 12 stars who auditioned forWicked. BFA / Giles Keyte / Universal Pictures Taylor Hill/WireImage Amanda Seyfrieddidn't let her busy schedule get in the way of auditioning for the Good Witch. The actress toldBackstagein July 2022 that she auditioned forWickedon weekends while filmingThe Dropout, in which she played former Theranos CEOElizabeth Holmes. "I have dreams that I'm still auditioning forWicked," Seyfried joked. "Because I wanted it that much that I was like, 'You know what? Yeah, I have to play the last scene ofThe Dropouton Tuesday. I'll give my Sunday to you.' I literally bent over backwards while playing the hardest role of my life." The actress, whosang for her roleas Cosette inLes Misérables, said that though she didn't land Glinda, she felt that the audition process prepared her for her next musical opportunity. Kevin Winter/Getty Like Grande,Dove Cameronhas also dreamed of being "Popular." The actress toldEntertainment Tonightin February 2019 that Glinda was the "role of a lifetime" and that she had wanted it since she was 7 years old. In 2023, Cameron confirmed toTheWrapthat she was in the running forWickedbut didn't specify which role she was considered for. "I know that for everybody who did go out for it, it was a very long process," she said. "It was one of the longer processes I've been a part of." Taylor Hill/Getty During a November 2022 appearance onWatch What Happens Live!,Renée Rapptold hostAndy Cohenthat she auditioned for the role of Glinda and was over the moon that it went to Grande instead. "Ariana's gonna be — can I cuss? — She's gonna be f------ amazing," theMean Girlsstar said. "I'm so excited." © Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection Tristan Fewings/BAFTA/Getty While it's hard to imagine Grande playing anyone but Glinda now, she revealed on theSentimental Menpodcast in November 2024 that she also auditioned for Elphaba. "I had an inkling in my heart always that it was going to be Glinda, but I was hearing really mixed things from people who were like, 'Oh, they want you to read for both,' " the singer said. "I was like, I guess that's because they don't know what my voice is — and maybe they think vocally I might be better-suited for Elphaba. I secretly knew I was only meant for Glinda." Dia Dipasupil/Getty Although most people know her from dramas likeThe PenguinandFargo,Cristin Miliotiis also a talented singer and won aGrammyfor her role in the musicalOnce. So when she was asked to audition for "one of her favorite musicals," she jumped at the chance to play Elphaba. However, she was skeptical of her ability to reach the iconic high note Elphaba sings at the end of "Defying Gravity." "I had two weeks and this was also my first in-person audition since COVID," she said during a September 2024 appearance onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. "I think I'm going to hit this crazy note that I've been obsessing over, and I opened my mouth wide. I took a deep breath, and the sound that escaped me is something I will hear on my deathbed." Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty The Color Purple'sPhylicia Pearl Mpasiconfirmed in an emotional May 2024YouTube videothat she auditioned to play Elphaba — and how she felt drawn to the character as a kid when a teacher didn't believe that she could sing. "I heard this score ... and just felt so seen," Mpasi said. "I understood how Elphaba felt feeling different, and like it wasn't her fault. It was just the color of her skin, and I just felt that way so much growing up." Though she didn't get the role, the actress said Erivo would be "stellar." © Universal Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection Taylor Hill/FilmMagic Nick Jonasrevealed in a September 2024 interview on theArmchair Expertpodcast that he was once in the running for Fiyero, Elphaba's love interest inWicked. And he wasn't the only Jonas up for the part. "We've never talked about this publicly, but we both auditioned for the same role — Joe and I," the "Jealous" singer told hostDax Shepard. "It was forWicked, actually." Jamie McCarthy/Getty Joe Jonaswas also considered for Fiyero. OnArmchair Expert, he told Shepard that he and Nick were supportive of each other during the auditions. "I said 'Go in there and kill it,' " Joe said. "It has to be one of us." Of course, neither of the Jonas brothers received that callback, and the role ultimately went toJonathan Bailey. Bruce Glikas/WireImage Ryan McCartan, who played Fiyero on Broadway in the show's 15th anniversary, revealed in a May 2024 episode of his podcastThe Stage Doorthat he auditioned for the film adaptation. "Jon [M. Chu], you didn't cast me in the movie, even though I worked so hard," theLiv and Maddiestar said. "That's fine, no hard feelings." Phillip Faraone/Getty SingerSpencer Sutherlandconfirmed on theZach Sang Showin March 2023 that he got a "double callback" to play Fiyero. Although he had his doubts about landing the role, he said he made it pretty far in the audition process. "I thought it was a great audition," Sutherland said. "When I got a double callback, I was like, 'Oh s---, this is real.' " Read the original article onPeople